EP0827879B1 - Vehicle occupant restraint system - Google Patents

Vehicle occupant restraint system Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0827879B1
EP0827879B1 EP97113096A EP97113096A EP0827879B1 EP 0827879 B1 EP0827879 B1 EP 0827879B1 EP 97113096 A EP97113096 A EP 97113096A EP 97113096 A EP97113096 A EP 97113096A EP 0827879 B1 EP0827879 B1 EP 0827879B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
gas bag
restraint system
vehicle
set forth
peripheral edge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP97113096A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0827879A1 (en
Inventor
Dietmar Böcker
Heinz Eyrainer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH
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TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH
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Publication of EP0827879A1 publication Critical patent/EP0827879A1/en
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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/20—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components
    • B60R21/213—Arrangements for storing inflatable members in their non-use or deflated condition; Arrangement or mounting of air bag modules or components in vehicle roof frames or pillars
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
    • B60R21/2338—Tethers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R21/00—Arrangements or fittings on vehicles for protecting or preventing injuries to occupants or pedestrians in case of accidents or other traffic risks
    • B60R21/02—Occupant safety arrangements or fittings, e.g. crash pads
    • B60R21/16—Inflatable occupant restraints or confinements designed to inflate upon impact or impending impact, e.g. air bags
    • B60R21/23—Inflatable members
    • B60R21/231—Inflatable members characterised by their shape, construction or spatial configuration
    • B60R21/2334—Expansion control features
    • B60R21/2338—Tethers
    • B60R2021/23386—External tether means
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R22/00—Safety belts or body harnesses in vehicles
    • B60R22/18—Anchoring devices
    • B60R22/195—Anchoring devices with means to tension the belt in an emergency, e.g. means of the through-anchor or splitted reel type

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a restraint system for vehicle occupants, especially for the lateral restraint of occupants, with an inflatable Airbag with a device with a spring drive which engages the airbag, pulls it into the desired position in the fully inflated state in the event of a restraint and holds it in this position when the vehicle occupant hits the airbag.
  • An inflated gas bag must hold up when it hits it absorb the forces acting on the vehicle occupant and into the Initiate vehicle.
  • a gas bag that protects against a frontal impact this depends on the steering wheel hub or on the dashboard, depending on whether it is a driver or passenger gas bag.
  • a pillow-shaped head gas bag as part of a side-acting one Restraint system is known from DE-U 92 11 423.
  • a Head gas bag arranged under the cladding of the roof frame, which in the Collision case emerges from this. Eyelets on the outer peripheral edge of the Gas bags enclose a rope arranged along the B-pillar.
  • the rope serves as a guide for the gas bag it spreads out laterally until it reaches a defined one Has reached the final position.
  • airbag can move along the rope guide and partially change its location, which is undesirable.
  • DE-A-195 19 297 describes a generic restraint system a gas bag operated by pyrotechnic or spring force Tensioning device is pulled into the desired position.
  • the tightening device is triggered by a signal from the sensor, which is also used for the gas generator Fills the gas bag.
  • the triggering times of the gas bag and the The tensioning device must be coordinated.
  • Pillow-shaped side gas bags are also known, which are in the Support the restraint case on the side window of the vehicle. Splintered however, in the event of a side impact, the airbag is missing largely the support, so that its retention effect at least is severely restricted.
  • the invention provides a restraint system with an airbag that is positioned securely in the inflated state and does not move needs to be supported on the side window, and offers an easy way to set up the gas bag in the event of restraint pulls into the desired position.
  • the restraint system according to the invention has a locking unit for this purpose, which consists of the unfolding of the gas bag a locked position is moved to a release position in which the Spring energy is released.
  • the device holds the gas bag also in the desired end position so that the device also at least part of the gas bag forces acting upon impact of the vehicle occupant.
  • the restraint system according to the invention is preferably at one Side impact protection device is used, it can also e.g. with a knee gas bag or with one in the steering wheel or in the dashboard built-in gas bag can be used when it comes to the Position the gas bag precisely and securely.
  • the device brings the Airbag in its final position has a pulling force, and the inflated one Airbag is thereby between storage points on its peripheral edge cocked in the vehicle so that it despite a vehicle deformation always secured in position in the vehicle, comparable to a tether is.
  • a backstop provided keeps the gas bag in the desired position Location and thus prevents a significant shift of the Gas bags e.g. by deformation in the event of an impact or by the striking vehicle occupants.
  • Fig. 1 shows a restraint system that a vehicle occupant Protect from side impact or rollover from head injuries should.
  • the restraint system includes one below the fairing 2 Large, pillow-shaped in the area of the roof frame Airbag 1.
  • the airbag 1 is, based on the one shown in FIG. 4, unfolded Condition, in the area of its upper peripheral edge 3 on the roof frame attached.
  • an eyelet 7 is provided a pull rope 9 is attached.
  • the pull rope 9 extends behind the lining 10 of the B-pillar 11 vertically towards the vehicle floor, where there is tension on a non-actuated state of the restraint system
  • Tension spring 13 is attached, which is accommodated in a cylinder 15 is.
  • the lower end of the tension spring 13 and the cylinder 15 is each locked on the vehicle floor.
  • a locking device 17 is provided, which is a movement of the pull rope 9 prevented downwards.
  • the locking device 17 consists of a locking body 19 attached to the traction cable 9 in the form a ball that hits a vehicle-like, pan-like contact surface 21 is pressed and thereby moving the pull rope 9 down prevented.
  • gas generator ignited, which inflates the gas bag 1. While of the inflation process, the airbag 1 opens the lining 2 (cf. Fig. 3). By changing the shape of the gas bag 1 is also the eyelet 7 moves laterally since it laterally from the contact surface 21st is spaced.
  • the blocking body 19 is caused by the inflation of the gas bag 1 pulled from the contact surface 21 (see arrow in Fig. 3) and comes free, so that the saved during the inflation process Spring energy released and the pull rope 9 is moved down.
  • the cover 10 of the B-pillar 11 tears, as can be seen in FIG. 3 is along a predetermined line.
  • the from the pull rope 9, the Drive 12, the locking device 17 and the backstop 23rd formed device accelerates the deployment of the gas bag 1 and guides this to its desired position in a fully inflated position Condition, cf. Fig. 4, in which it has a pillow-like shape. Also when fully inflated there is still enough spring force around the gas bag 1 between the storage points on the upper peripheral edge 3 and the eyelet 7, which also forms a storage point, to stretch. As a result, the gas bag 1 is fixed securely in the vehicle, and he does not have to stick to the possibly shattered side window support when the occupant hits the airbag 1.
  • the backstop 23 prevents the pull rope 9 from shifting when Impact the head of the occupant, causing the gas bag to move 1 is not possible. At higher, by the drive 12 on the gas bag 1 applied tensile forces can also change its shape become.
  • the unfolding of the gas bag 1, its location and, if necessary its shape defining device is not just on use with a pillow-shaped head gas bag on the side of the vehicle occupant limited, but it can also, for example, with one Knee gas bag can be used in which the gas bag from the bottom Area of the dashboard that surrounds the footwell, exits and through the device in a position immediately in front of the occupant's knees pulled and stretched across them.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air Bags (AREA)

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Rückhaltesystem für Fahrzeuginsassen, insbesondere zum seitlichen Rückhalten von Insassen, mit einem aufblasbaren Gassack mit einer Einrichtung mit einem Federantrieb, die am Gassack angreift, ihn im Rückhaltefall in die in vollständig aufgeblasenem Zustand gewünschte Lage zieht und ihn in dieser Lage hält, wenn der Fahrzeuginsasse auf den Gassack auftrifft.The invention relates to a restraint system for vehicle occupants, especially for the lateral restraint of occupants, with an inflatable Airbag with a device with a spring drive which engages the airbag, pulls it into the desired position in the fully inflated state in the event of a restraint and holds it in this position when the vehicle occupant hits the airbag.

Ein aufgeblasener Gassack muß im Rückhaltefall die beim Auftreffen des Fahrzeuginsassen auf ihn einwirkenden Kräfte aufnehmen und in das Fahrzeug einleiten. Ein bei einem Frontalaufprall schützender Gassack stützt sich hierzu an der Lenkradnabe oder am Armaturenbrett, abhängig davon, ob es sich um einen Fahrer- oder Beifahrer-Gassack handelt, ab. Ein kissenförmiger Kopf-Gassack als Teil eines seitlich wirkenden Rückhaltesystems ist aus dem DE-U 92 11 423 bekannt. Hierbei ist ein Kopf-Gassack unter der Verkleidung des Dachrahmens angeordnet, der im Kollisionsfall aus dieser austritt. Ösen am äußeren Umfangsrand des Gassacks umschließen ein längs der B-Säule angeordnetes Seil. Beim Entfalten des Gassacks dient das Seil als Führung für den Gassack, der sich dadurch seitlich geführt nach unten ausbreitet, bis er eine definierte Endposition eingenommen hat. Vor und während des Auftreffens des Insassen auf den beim Rückhaltesystem nach dem DE-U 92 11 423 vorgesehenen Gassack kann sich dieser längs der Seilführung bewegen und teilweise seine Lage verändern, was unerwünscht ist. An inflated gas bag must hold up when it hits it absorb the forces acting on the vehicle occupant and into the Initiate vehicle. A gas bag that protects against a frontal impact this depends on the steering wheel hub or on the dashboard, depending on whether it is a driver or passenger gas bag. A pillow-shaped head gas bag as part of a side-acting one Restraint system is known from DE-U 92 11 423. Here is a Head gas bag arranged under the cladding of the roof frame, which in the Collision case emerges from this. Eyelets on the outer peripheral edge of the Gas bags enclose a rope arranged along the B-pillar. At the Unfolding the gas bag, the rope serves as a guide for the gas bag it spreads out laterally until it reaches a defined one Has reached the final position. Before and during the impact of the occupant on the restraint system according to DE-U 92 11 423 provided airbag can move along the rope guide and partially change its location, which is undesirable.

Die DE-A-195 19 297 beschreibt ein gattungsgemäßes Rückhaltesystem mit einem Gassack, der durch eine pyrotechnisch oder durch Federkraft betriebene Straffeinrichtung in die gewünschte Lage gezogen wird. Die Straffeinrichtung wird über ein Signal von dem Sensor ausgelöst, der auch den Gasgenerator zur Befüllung des Gassackes auslöst. Die Auslösezeitpunkte des Gassackes und der Straffeinrichtung müssen aufeinander abgestimmt werden.DE-A-195 19 297 describes a generic restraint system a gas bag operated by pyrotechnic or spring force Tensioning device is pulled into the desired position. The tightening device is triggered by a signal from the sensor, which is also used for the gas generator Fills the gas bag. The triggering times of the gas bag and the The tensioning device must be coordinated.

Ferner sind kissenförmige Seiten-Gassäcke bekannt, die sich im Rückhaltefall an der Seitenscheibe des Fahrzeugs abstützen. Zersplittert jedoch bei einem seitlichen Aufprall die Scheibe, fehlt dem Gassack großteils die Abstützung, so daß seine Rückhaltewirkung zumindest stark eingeschränkt ist.Pillow-shaped side gas bags are also known, which are in the Support the restraint case on the side window of the vehicle. Splintered however, in the event of a side impact, the airbag is missing largely the support, so that its retention effect at least is severely restricted.

Die Erfindung schafft ein Rückhaltesystem mit einem Gassack, der im aufgeblasenen Zustand lagefest positioniert ist und der sich nicht an der Seitenscheibe abstützen muß, und bietet eine einfache Möglichkeit, die Einrichtung, die den Gassack im Rückhaltefall in die gewünschte Lage zieht, auszulösen. Das erfindungsgemäße Rückhaltesystem weist hierzu eine Verriegelungseinheit auf, die durch das Entfalten des Gassackes aus einer Sperrstellung in eine Freigabestellung verschoben wird, in der die Federenergie freigegeben wird.The invention provides a restraint system with an airbag that is positioned securely in the inflated state and does not move needs to be supported on the side window, and offers an easy way to set up the gas bag in the event of restraint pulls into the desired position. The restraint system according to the invention has a locking unit for this purpose, which consists of the unfolding of the gas bag a locked position is moved to a release position in which the Spring energy is released.

Bei einem Federantrieb ist die Verwendung einer Verriegelungseinrichtung vorteilhaft, die durch das Entfalten des Gassackes aus einer Sperr- in eine Freigabestellung verschoben werden kann, in welcher die Federenergie freigegeben wird. So müssen keine separaten Auslösemechanismen vorgesehen sein, denn der Federantrieb ist an die Gassackbewegung zwangsgekoppelt, so daß das Entfalten des Gassacks das Betätigen des Federantriebs auslöst.With a spring drive, the use of a locking device advantageous by unfolding the gas bag from a barrier in a release position can be shifted in which the spring energy is released. So no separate trigger mechanisms have to be provided be, because the spring drive is positively coupled to the gas bag movement, so that the unfolding of the gas bag triggers the actuation of the spring drive.

Die Einrichtung hält den Gassack auch in der gewünschten Endposition so daß die Einrichtung auch wenigstens einen Teil der auf den Gassack einwirkenden Kräfte beim Auftreffen des Fahrzeuginsassen aufnimmt. Obwohl das erfindungsgemäße Rückhaltesystem vorzugsweise bei einer Seitenaufprall-Schutzeinrichtung verwendet wird, kann es ebenso z.B. bei einem Knie-Gassack oder bei einem im Lenkrad oder in der Armaturentafel eingebauten Gassack verwendet werden, wenn es darum geht, den Gassack exakt und lagesicher zu positionieren.The device holds the gas bag also in the desired end position so that the device also at least part of the gas bag forces acting upon impact of the vehicle occupant. Although the restraint system according to the invention is preferably at one Side impact protection device is used, it can also e.g. with a knee gas bag or with one in the steering wheel or in the dashboard built-in gas bag can be used when it comes to the Position the gas bag precisely and securely.

Bei der bevorzugten Ausführungsform bringt die Einrichtung auf den Gassack in seiner endgültigen Lage eine Zugkraft auf, und der aufgeblasene Gassack wird dadurch zwischen Lagerungsstellen an seinem Umfangsrand im Fahrzeug gespannt, so daß er trotz einer Fahrzeugverformung stets lagesicher im Fahrzeug vergleichbar einem Fangband aufgespannt ist. In the preferred embodiment, the device brings the Airbag in its final position has a pulling force, and the inflated one Airbag is thereby between storage points on its peripheral edge cocked in the vehicle so that it despite a vehicle deformation always secured in position in the vehicle, comparable to a tether is.

Eine vorgesehene Rücklaufsperre hält den Gassack in der gewünschten Lage und verhindert damit eine erhebliche Verlagerung des Gassacks z.B. durch eine Verformung bei einem Aufprall oder durch den auftreffenden Fahrzeuginsassen.A backstop provided keeps the gas bag in the desired position Location and thus prevents a significant shift of the Gas bags e.g. by deformation in the event of an impact or by the striking vehicle occupants.

Weitere Merkmale und Vorteile der Erfindung ergeben sich aus der nachfolgenden Beschreibung und aus den nachfolgenden Zeichnungen, auf die Bezug genommen wird. In den Zeichnungen zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 ein erfindungsgemäßes Rückhaltesystem für Fahrzeuginsassen, mit einem aufblasbaren Seiten-Kopf-Gassack in nicht aktiviertem Zustand,
  • Fig. 2 eine Querschnittsansicht durch das Fahrzeug im Bereich des Dachrahmens und des oberen Teils der B-Säule, die das erfindungsgemäße Rückhaltesystem deutlicher zeigt,
  • Fig. 3 eine Querschnittsansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Rückhaltesystems mit teilweise aufgeblasenem Gassack, und
  • Fig. 4 eine Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemäßen Rückhaltesystems mit vollständig aufgeblasenem Gassack.
Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description and from the following drawings, to which reference is made. The drawings show:
  • 1 shows a restraint system according to the invention for vehicle occupants, with an inflatable side-head gas bag in the non-activated state,
  • 2 shows a cross-sectional view through the vehicle in the area of the roof frame and the upper part of the B-pillar, which shows the restraint system according to the invention more clearly,
  • 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the restraint system according to the invention with the gas bag partially inflated, and
  • Fig. 4 is a side view of the restraint system according to the invention with the gas bag fully inflated.

Fig. 1 zeigt ein Rückhaltesystem, das einen Fahrzeuginsassen bei einem Seitenaufprall oder einem Überschlag vor Kopfverletzungen schützen soll. Das Rückhaltesystem umfaßt einen unterhalb der Verkleidung 2 im Bereich des Dachrahmens eingebauten großflächigen, kissenförmigen Gassack 1. Der Gassack 1 ist, bezogen auf den in Fig. 4 gezeigten entfalteten Zustand, im Bereich seines oberen Umfangsrandes 3 am Dachrahmen befestigt. Am unteren Umfangsrand 5 ist eine Öse 7 vorgesehen, an der ein Zugseil 9 befestigt ist. Das Zugseil 9 erstreckt sich hinter der Verkleidung 10 der B-Säule 11 vertikal in Richtung Fahrzeugboden, wo es an einer im nicht betätigten Zustand des Rückhaltesystems gespannten Zugfeder 13 befestigt ist, die in einem Zylinder 15 aufgenommen ist. Das untere Ende der Zugfeder 13 und des Zylinders 15 ist jeweils am Fahrzeugboden arretiert. Um zu verhindern, daß die vorgespannte Zugfeder 13 den gefalteten Gassack 1 im nicht aktivierten Zustand aus der Verkleidung 2 herauszieht, ist im oberen Bereich der B-Säule 11 eine Verriegelungseinrichtung 17 vorgesehen, die ein Bewegen des Zugseils 9 nach unten verhindert. Die Verriegelungseinrichtung 17 besteht aus einem am Zugseil 9 befestigten Sperrkörper 19 in Form einer Kugel, der gegen eine fahrzeugfeste, pfannenartige Anlagefläche 21 angedrückt wird und dadurch ein Bewegen des Zugseils 9 nach unten verhindert.Fig. 1 shows a restraint system that a vehicle occupant Protect from side impact or rollover from head injuries should. The restraint system includes one below the fairing 2 Large, pillow-shaped in the area of the roof frame Airbag 1. The airbag 1 is, based on the one shown in FIG. 4, unfolded Condition, in the area of its upper peripheral edge 3 on the roof frame attached. At the lower peripheral edge 5, an eyelet 7 is provided a pull rope 9 is attached. The pull rope 9 extends behind the lining 10 of the B-pillar 11 vertically towards the vehicle floor, where there is tension on a non-actuated state of the restraint system Tension spring 13 is attached, which is accommodated in a cylinder 15 is. The lower end of the tension spring 13 and the cylinder 15 is each locked on the vehicle floor. To prevent the biased Tension spring 13 the folded gas bag 1 in the non-activated Condition pulls out of the panel 2, is in the upper area B-pillar 11, a locking device 17 is provided, which is a movement of the pull rope 9 prevented downwards. The locking device 17 consists of a locking body 19 attached to the traction cable 9 in the form a ball that hits a vehicle-like, pan-like contact surface 21 is pressed and thereby moving the pull rope 9 down prevented.

Eine Rücklaufsperre 23 in Form eines Klemmgesperres, durch das das Zugseil 9 hindurchgeführt ist, läßt ein Bewegen des Zugseils 9 nach unten, jedoch nicht ein Zurückziehen des Zugseils 9 nach oben zu.A backstop 23 in the form of a locking mechanism through which the Traction cable 9 is passed, the movement of the traction cable 9 decreases below, but not pulling the pull rope 9 upwards.

Im Kollisionsfall wird über einen Beschleunigungssensor ein nicht gezeigter Gasgenerator gezündet, der den Gassack 1 aufbläst. Während des Aufblasvorgangs klappt der Gassack 1 die Verkleidung 2 auf (vgl. Fig. 3). Durch die Veränderung der Gestalt des Gassacks 1 wird auch die Öse 7 seitlich bewegt, da sie seitlich von der Anlagefläche 21 beabstandet ist. Der Sperrkörper 19 wird durch das Aufblasen des Gassacks 1 aus der Anlagefläche 21 gezogen (vgl. Pfeil in Fig. 3) und kommt frei, so daß noch während des Aufblasvorgangs die gespeicherte Federenergie freigegeben und das Zugseil 9 nach unten bewegt wird. Die Verkleidung 10 der B-Säule 11 reißt dabei, wie Fig. 3 zu entnehmen ist, längs einer vorbestimmten Linie auf. Die aus dem Zugseil 9, dem Antrieb 12, der Verriegelungseinrichtung 17 und der Rücklaufsperre 23 gebildete Einrichtung beschleunigt das Entfalten des Gassacks 1 und führt diesen in seine gewünschte Lage in vollständig aufgeblasenem Zustand, vgl. Fig. 4, in dem er eine kissenförmige Gestalt hat. Auch in vollständig aufgeblasenem Zustand ist noch genügend Federkraft vorhanden, um den Gassack 1 zwischen den Lagerungsstellen am oberen Umfangsrand 3 und der Öse 7, die ebenfalls eine Lagerungsstelle bildet, zu spannen. Dadurch wird der Gassack 1 lagesicher im Fahrzeug fixiert, und er muß sich nicht an der eventuell zerborstenen Seitenscheibe abstützen, wenn der Insasse auf den Gassack 1 trifft.In the event of a collision, an accelerometer is not used shown gas generator ignited, which inflates the gas bag 1. While of the inflation process, the airbag 1 opens the lining 2 (cf. Fig. 3). By changing the shape of the gas bag 1 is also the eyelet 7 moves laterally since it laterally from the contact surface 21st is spaced. The blocking body 19 is caused by the inflation of the gas bag 1 pulled from the contact surface 21 (see arrow in Fig. 3) and comes free, so that the saved during the inflation process Spring energy released and the pull rope 9 is moved down. The The cover 10 of the B-pillar 11 tears, as can be seen in FIG. 3 is along a predetermined line. The from the pull rope 9, the Drive 12, the locking device 17 and the backstop 23rd formed device accelerates the deployment of the gas bag 1 and guides this to its desired position in a fully inflated position Condition, cf. Fig. 4, in which it has a pillow-like shape. Also when fully inflated there is still enough spring force around the gas bag 1 between the storage points on the upper peripheral edge 3 and the eyelet 7, which also forms a storage point, to stretch. As a result, the gas bag 1 is fixed securely in the vehicle, and he does not have to stick to the possibly shattered side window support when the occupant hits the airbag 1.

Die Rücklaufsperre 23 verhindert ein Verlagern des Zugseils 9 beim Auftreffen des Kopfs des Insassen, so daß ein Verschieben des Gassacks 1 nicht möglich ist. Bei höheren, durch den Antrieb 12 auf den Gassack 1 aufgebrachten Zugkräften kann dieser auch in seiner Gestalt verändert werden.The backstop 23 prevents the pull rope 9 from shifting when Impact the head of the occupant, causing the gas bag to move 1 is not possible. At higher, by the drive 12 on the gas bag 1 applied tensile forces can also change its shape become.

Die das Entfalten des Gassacks 1, seine Lage und gegebenenfalls seine Gestalt definierende Einrichtung ist nicht nur auf die Verwendung bei einem kissenförmigen Kopfgassack seitlich des Fahrzeuginsassen eingeschränkt, sondern sie kann ebenso beispielsweise bei einem Knie-Gassack verwendet werden, bei dem der Gassack aus dem unteren Bereich der Armaturentafel, die den Fußraum umgibt, austritt und durch die Einrichtung in eine Position unmittelbar vor die Knie des Insassen gezogen und quer zu ihnen gespannt wird.The unfolding of the gas bag 1, its location and, if necessary its shape defining device is not just on use with a pillow-shaped head gas bag on the side of the vehicle occupant limited, but it can also, for example, with one Knee gas bag can be used in which the gas bag from the bottom Area of the dashboard that surrounds the footwell, exits and through the device in a position immediately in front of the occupant's knees pulled and stretched across them.

Claims (10)

  1. A vehicle occupant restraint system, particularly for vehicle occupant side restraint, comprising an inflatable gas bag (1), a means (9, 12) including a spring drive (12) and engaging the gas bag (1), which means pulls the gas bag, in a restraint situation, into the position desired in the fully inflated state and maintains it in this position when the vehicle occupant impacts the gas bag (1), characterized in that a latching means (17) is provided which, due to deployment of the gas bag (1), is shifted from a locked position into a release position in which the spring energy is liberated.
  2. The restraint system as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the means comprises a traction cable (9) engaging the gas bag (1) and that the spring drive (12) is coupled to the traction cable.
  3. The restraint system as set forth claim 2, characterized in that the latching means (17) comprises a locking body (19) connected to the traction cable (9), the locking body being urged against a vehicle-fixed contact surface (21) in the locked position and is moved and released from said contact surface (21) by inflation of the gas bag (1).
  4. The restraint system as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means exerts a tensile force on the gas bag (1) in the final position thereof, as a result of which the inflated gas bag (1) is tensioned between mounting points at its peripheral edge (3, 5) in the vehicle.
  5. The restraint system as set forth in claim 4, characterized in that the tensile force exerted on the gas bag (1) is so great that the means also contributes to determining the shape of the inflated gas bag (1).
  6. The restraint system as set forth in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the gas bag on its peripheral edge is rigidly secured to the vehicle by at least one vehicle-fixed mounting point and that the means engages the gas bag (1) at a region of the peripheral edge (5) opposing the mounting point.
  7. The restraint system as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means comprises a return lock (23) which maintains the inflated gas bag (1) in its final position.
  8. The restraint system as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the return lock (23) is a clamp locking mechanism engaging the traction cable (9).
  9. The restraint system as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gas bag (1) is a cushion-shaped head gas bag which is accommodated in the roof frame, is secured to the vehicle in the region of its upper peripheral edge (3) and is engaged by the means at its lower peripheral edge (5).
  10. The restraint system as set forth in any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means is arranged behind the cover (10) of the B-pillar (11) of the vehicle.
EP97113096A 1996-09-05 1997-07-30 Vehicle occupant restraint system Expired - Lifetime EP0827879B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE29615485U DE29615485U1 (en) 1996-09-05 1996-09-05 Restraint system for vehicle occupants
DE29615485U 1996-09-05

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0827879A1 EP0827879A1 (en) 1998-03-11
EP0827879B1 true EP0827879B1 (en) 2001-01-10

Family

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP97113096A Expired - Lifetime EP0827879B1 (en) 1996-09-05 1997-07-30 Vehicle occupant restraint system

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US5975566A (en)
EP (1) EP0827879B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH1086786A (en)
KR (1) KR19980024157A (en)
DE (2) DE29615485U1 (en)
ES (1) ES2116956T3 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
KR19980024157A (en) 1998-07-06
ES2116956T1 (en) 1998-08-01
JPH1086786A (en) 1998-04-07
ES2116956T3 (en) 2001-04-01
DE59702889D1 (en) 2001-02-15
DE29615485U1 (en) 1997-01-09
US5975566A (en) 1999-11-02
EP0827879A1 (en) 1998-03-11

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